MENDOTA - Curtis S. Cross, 99, of Peru, formerly Mendota, passed away May 8, 2018 at Heritage Health, Mendota.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18 at the Faith Bible Fellowship Church, Troy Grove. Private family burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, LaSalle following the service. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Curtis was born March 31, 1919 in LaSalle to Clifton and Fanny (Curtis) Cross. He married Mary Alice Siebenhiner in 1942. She preceded him in death in 1986. He married Adele (Joop) Crabtree Cross in 1986. She preceded him in 2010. He was a devoted caregiver to both his wives until their deaths.

Survivors include one son, John (Catherine) Cross of Mendota; one daughter Mary Jane (Bruce Kuehl) Cross of Aurora; one grandson, Adam Cross of Moose Pass, Ark.; one granddaughter, Melissa (Neil) Johnson of Janesville, Wis.; and five great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his wives; one son, James; two sisters, Phyllis Bauer and Barbara Judy; and one brother, Kenneth Cross.

Curtis was a World War II veteran serving in the Army 14th Armored Division. He participated in combat in Germany and the Rhineland with a rank of 1st Lieutenant. He owned and operated Cross Body Shop from its inception in 1948 until his retirement in 1983. After his retirement, he moved between Tucson, Ariz. and Eagle River, Wis. until health issues brought him back to Illinois. He was a devout Christian and was an active member of First Baptist Church of LaSalle, Mendota Bible Church where he was one of the founders, and Faith Bible Fellowship Church. He was known for his fun-loving and adventurous spirit. He traveled throughout the United States with his family, introducing them to many activities and regional foods. He earned a general aviation license and learned to soar. He became involved in building experimental aircraft, a hobby he pursued until recently.

Memorials may be directed to Kids Klubs Incorporated or the donor’s choice.